SIA warns against vigilantism

The Security Industry Authority (SIA) has published a statement setting out its position on licence holders who act as vigilantes.

Vigilantism is law enforcement undertaken without legal authority by a self-appointed group of people. Examples include actions by Online Child Abuse Activist Groups (OCAGs), sometimes referred to as ‘paedophile hunters’.

The SIA does not support or agree with licence holders who take the law into their own hands. 

The SIA has said licence holders have a vital role in keeping the public safe, but must carry out their duties within the law and in accordance with the standards of behaviour set out in their training.

The statement said: "The SIA does not support or condone SIA licence holders engaging in vigilante activity. Holding an SIA licence does not give someone additional powers to detain or arrest someone. An SIA licence holder has the same legal powers as a member of the public. They are not the police.

"If an SIA licence holder uses force to detain someone, this could amount to an assault and they may find themselves prosecuted, unless they can show that the use of force was lawful in the circumstances.

"We will consider suspending and revoking a licence if the licence holder is charged and found guilty of a criminal offence."